3 Bold Predictions for UNC vs. Alabama in Sweet 16

The No. 1 UNC Tar Heels are onto the Sweet 16 after a pair of spectacular offensive performances against Wagner and Michigan State. They'll face perhaps the worst defense remaining in the Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday with an expectation to advance to the program's first Elite Eight since 2021-22.

RJ Davis has been his reliable self while Armando Bacot patrols the paint, though the Tar Heels have gotten excellent contributions from Harrison Ingram as well.

They'll need their best effort to calm a ferocious Crimson Tide offense, though UNC sits as solid favorites in the contest. As we get set for this March Madness battle, I've got three bold predictions for the matchup.

3 Bold Predictions for UNC vs. Alabama

1. RJ Davis Scores 30+ Points

The reigning ACC Player of the Year has four 30+ point games this season and perhaps no opponent sets up better for a fifth than the Crimson Tide. Davis has at least 20 points in four straight contests and I think he'll get to 30 against the terrible Alabama defense.

On the season, Alabama ranks 200th in two-point shooting percentage (50.9%) while playing at the 13th-fastest pace in the nation, fitting perfectly into Davis' slashing game. The Crimson Tide are 326th in opponent free throw rate (40.2%), so Davis should be able to get to the charity stripe, where he shoots over 85%, with ease.

Alabama is 277th in defensive turnover percentage (15.6%) and struggles to put much pressure on lead ball-handlers like Davis. He should have a field day probing the defense and there's not a player on the Tide's roster that can keep up with him.

Davis scored 20 points with relative ease against Michigan State despite the Spartans playing at one of the slowest paces in the country. Given this particular stylistic matchup, he should put up points in bunches.

As the Tide scramble to cover open shooters, Davis can glide through the lane to finish inside as well. His points prop is set at only 21.5, but I think 30 is well within range as UNC punches its ticket to the Elite Eight.

We'll get to the next prediction on the following page, though don't forget to claim FanDuel Sportsbook's $200 guaranteed bonus with any $5 UNC bet! Just deposit at least $10 and bet $5 or more on the Sweet 16 matchup and you'll automatically get $200 in bonus bets win or lose. Click here to sign up for FanDuel now!